Archives for February 2009

My IKEA Experience

February 19, 2009 by Amy 15 Comments

I’ve been wanting to go to an IKEA store for years. Years. Dani and I have talked for YEARS about making a trip to Atlanta but just never have gotten it together. Finally yesterday the Charlotte store opened and I got a chance to go today after work. I was on pins and needles all day. I could finally see the pretty, pretty catalog in real life.

I tried to twitter the whole thing but twitpic started posting pics from my trash can and wow, that could be scary.

I’m not sure how all IKEA’s are set up but ours (and I do consider it ours) has two levels. When you walk in the front door, you are led up an escalator to the showroom. It is literally room after room set up with all IKEA stuff. Living rooms, kitchens, offices, bedrooms. I was a little confused on how to actually buy anything and had to ask, feeling pretty dumb. Each item is tagged with a price and a location. The actual store is located on the first floor, divided by department where everything is packaged nicely for you to buy.

I loved every room thinking I could probably live in each one.

Let me share what pictures I did get. This is going up the escalator that greets you. That’s a picture of the kids’ playroom. You can drop them off there while you shop! You can see there was a line.

Across the way there is the restaurant.

More of the restaurant…

I loved this set of toy boxes. We use a lot of these plastic bins in the room but I love how they’re organized here.

I love this bookcase. I would love to put 3 of them in a row in my bedroom.

I couldn’t get all of this but this was a cute over-the-toilet cabinet.

I wish the lighting was better. This was a much brighter green and I LOVED it.

I love, love, love this kitchen. The wood, the island, the cabinets, the stuff hanging below the cabinets, the sink.

I know these leaves have been around for a while but they are just too cute.

OK that was all the pictures I took of products but I need to talk about the meatballs next.

Heather and Mom went to the IKEA in Canada. And out of all that, Heather says today “Make sure you get the meatballs.” I was all what??? All the cool stuff there and she wants me to get meatballs? But Heather’s food opinion is trustworthy so I thought I might get some and THEN I get an email from Carolyn that says “order the meatballs (they are really good)”. OK, ok, people. I’ve never heard of these infamous meatballs and I’m not a huge meatball fan, but I’ll try them!

So I tried to order a kid size bowl but they said it’s just as cheap to order the kids meal. So I got the mashed potatoes and a drink. All in a colorful array of dishes :).

And while I wasn’t clapping and asking for more, they were good meatballs. The mashed potatoes were REALLY good though. Just as good as any high-end restaurant we’ve been to. And there was some raspberry something or other Swedish juice that they supposedly sold there that was REALLY good and I’m not much of a juice fan. But it looked like the IKEA-type thing to do so I got it.

So. After all that shopping, there was a TON of stuff I wanted to get…cabinets, lamps, dishes, pictures, desks, chairs, etc but this is what I brought home

That would be 3 bamboo-type fabric organization boxes, a desk pad, vase and flowers for the girls’ room, two dimmer switches, a set of 6 shot glasses (not sure if they’re actually called that but they are to take my Isagenix in the morning) and a set of 6 short glasses that I think will be great for the girls and a set of really cute napkins.

OK, so I get home two hours past normal time go to get my stuff out of the car and I have no purse. And I realize I had left it in the buggy. In the parking lot.

All I can say is thank goodness I had my phone in my coat pocket. Otherwise I’d have been hysterical. Who cares if someone steals the debit card, just don’t touch the iPhone.

I call IKEA as soon as I walk in the door. Their phone system is a NIGHTMARE. I finally talk to a customer service rep who has to call the Charlotte location for me and they say no one has turned it in and they won’t go look for it. I leave the description of the purse and Scott’s cell number (since my phone is dead at this point). We pack up everyone and head back up to Charlotte to make the 30 mile trip. IKEA calls on the way and says it was turned in.

The kids are crying they are hungry. Scott is sleepy. But I really want Scott to go see a few things I really want so I suggest we run through the showroom for him to see it and eat some meatballs at the restaurant. Well, you apparently don’t really run through the showroom. It’s sort of on a one-way track you follow and we ended up going through the entire showroom. But as I thought, Scott loved the stuff there and didn’t seem too upset. The girls were very well-behaved and were enjoying following the signs to the Restaurant and the arrows on the floor.

The kids vetoed the meatballs and got yogurt instead. Scott tried the raspberry drink and liked it.

Oh and I got my purse and everything seems to be there. But. The strap is broken beyond repair. And it’s my red Gucci purse from Chinatown. Maybe that’s what I get for buying a purse behind a fake door.

And all of that gives me new meaning to the phrase “The IKEA Experience”.

American Idol: Top 36 Group 1

February 18, 2009 by Amy 4 Comments

I feel like I’ve been in American Idol mode for at least the last 12 hours but still wanted to get my thoughts out on the contestants. Overall, last night was bad. I thought for sure this Top 36 would be our best over but I was very disappointed. Many people I thought would be contenders lost it last night.

Anoop Desai – Angel of Mine – Annnooop!! I really like Anoop. My inner (and outer?) geek connects with him. And I secretly think Indian men can be hot. But last night he did not pick the right song, his energy was very low and I was all around disappointed. 🙁 He has a huge fan base though so maybe he pulled in enough votes.
Alexis Grace – Never Loved A Man – I loved. this. And yes, Heather, I was a bit skeptical of her before last night but that was an amazing performance. She really was like a different person this round.
Tatiana Del Toro – Saving All My Love For You – Darn. it. This girl drives me crazy but I don’t think anyone can deny she can sing. Heather and I looked at each other a few notes into her song and were like “Nooooo”. She did well. Unfortunately.
Ricky Braddy – Song For You – I think he did really well. Even Mom called this morning and said “Who was that guy who was shy?” I think it’s sad he didn’t get more publicity on the show. Add to the fact that his performance was good but not amazing and I don’t think he’ll get in tonight. BUT I know Paula has said he is in her Top 3 so I fully expect him to make a return in two more weeks.
Jackie Tohn – A Little Less Conversation – The outfit was bad, the song was bad. Just bad. And I like her voice too.
Brent Keith – Hicktown – I thought he would be good competition but I didn’t like this. And as a country fan, I can say it wasn’t memorable.
Stevie Wright – You Belong With me – This was a painful performance. I really think her nerves took over.
Casey Carlson – Every Little Thing He Does is Magic – I really wanted to like that but I didn’t.
Michael Sarver – I Don’t Wanna Be – I really liked this actually. Maybe because it’s One Tree Hill’s theme song but I’ve heard a lot of people really screw that song up. It’s harder to sing than you think. But he did well. I think he’s going to make top 12.
Ann Marie Boskovich – Natural Woman – Not good.
Stephen Fowler – Rock With You – No. Just no.
Danny Gokey – Hero – Yes, yes, yes!!! I am on Paula and Kara’s fangirl train. I was clapping and yes-ing the whole performance. I was so nervous after starting iheartdannygokey.com that it would be my luck he’d turn in an awful performance and not make Top 12. Well, my friends, after that AND all the publicity he’s gotten on the show, he’s Top 12, hands down and maybe our next American Idol!!

I’m hoping Danny, Alexis Grace and Anoop get in but think Michael will replace Anoop.

Daily Peek: Clean, sick and ready for AI

February 17, 2009 by Amy Leave a Comment

(FYI, stealing this blog’s “Daily Peek” title. Love her daily peeks. Maybe people do like reading the mundane sometimes.)

I spent a good chunk of my day off yesterday cleaning for the cleaning lady this morning. Very happy to report they came today and four hours later, left me a very clean house. I honestly can’t say it’s any cleaner than what I have been doing on a biweekly basis, but hey, *I* didn’t clean it this time.

I woke up this morning to a sore throat, headache and aching in my legs…a sure sign of an oncoming fever. After a dose of Thereaflu and Aleve, I’m feeling better this afternoon although still not 100%.

Tonight we’re hosting the youth small group again, if in fact anyone shows up. Which reminds me I should probably come up with something for them to snack on.

Also tonight is American Idol which if you couldn’t guess, I’m super-duper excited about. I think I’m going to have to break out the telephone cord and give my modem a work out with DialIdol again for Danny Gokey. I haven’t done that since the Daughtry days.

American Idol Fans: New Voting

February 17, 2009 by Amy Leave a Comment

I know there are bigger problems in the world but I just wanted to make sure everyone understands the new voting rules on American Idol for Top 36. Tonight is the first of three groups of 12. ONLY the top guy, top girl and then next top contestant (male or female) will go through. The rest GO HOME (unless of course they are picked as a wild card). During the last week, the judges will pick 3 wild card contestants to round out the top 12. In other words, we are going to lose a lot of good people this week.

So make sure you vote Danny Gokey 🙂

More on The Bachelor: Episode 7

February 17, 2009 by Amy 5 Comments

OK, after reading Chris’ blog this morning, I might be more confused than ever. The dark room we saw was After the Final Rose. That’s the part where the bachelor and the girl he picked finally get to see each other as well as the #2 girl comes back.

So is there a wedding? Not sure if emotionally difficult fits there. Has Jillian fallen into depression like her mother? Is someone pregnant? Do they break up? I’m guessing no because Jason has said in interviews he’s definitely engaged. Ahhh..this is killing me!

*Update*

Oh, I like this theory in as much as it makes sense and Deanna doesn’t want him back:

Just read a great prediction on ihategreenbeans.com. One of the bloggers there thinks that Deanna comes back to tell Jason that he let the wrong woman go (jillian), just like she let the wrong man go.

For the Local Folk

February 17, 2009 by Amy Leave a Comment

Calling all Fort Millians, there’s a new web site in town…er, about town actually. And no, I didn’t go and create ANOTHER web site. ScoopMill.com is a new web site devoted to bringing the latest and greatest scoop in and around Fort Mill. I’ve been keeping up with it a few days now and they really have some interesting stories and news. As an almost-Fort Mill native I can definitely see this becoming quite a popular site among Fort Mill residents. So bookmark it or grab the RSS feed but whatever you do, make sure to keep up with this one!

The Bachelor: Episode 7

February 16, 2009 by Amy 1 Comment

Tonight was a shocker for sure. Not that I’m not ecstatic, but shocked, yes.

I really thought after all that hot tub TMI mess Jillian would be a keeper. But in the end, he couldn’t get past the fact she wanted to play cards when they’re 90. Actually, I agree with him. Being best friends is important but it’s not enough.

The dinner date with Molly seemed really awkward. Maybe in the moment it was intimate but watching it was just awkward. And they completely skipped on the tub scene so not really sure went on there. Except for the outtakes at the end…lots of sucking noise which was hilarious. I did think the list of questions was fun albeit reminiscent of her mother’s games. I wonder if she had a costume for him in the fantasy suite.

And lastly Melissa. Sweet Melissa. I got kinda tired of them talking about the parent issue but other than that, their body language and conversations so clearly screams that they are in love with each other I’m not really sure how he is questioning his decisions so much. I love that Melissa says I love you whereas Molly says I’m in love with you.

So we STILL did not get to see DeAnna. WHAT are they waiting on?? I thought for sure she was showing tonight. So the previews for next week are very odd. What is with the secret final rose ceremony? @daltonsmommy on twitter suggested maybe they actually get married! But I don’t see Jason doing anything so rash with Ty involved or getting married without meeting her family. But could it be the parents come to NZ FOR the approval and wedding? I think that would even shock me.

But thinking back to the whole supposed spoiler of the season (some guy supposedly figured out the winner and posted it on YouTube)…they show Jason preparing to propose and he’s definitely outside. When they show him getting on his knee, there is greenery behind him.

SO it appears whatever dark, decorated room Chris was in was completely separate. What is that room? Does he get married there? Does he tell the “no” person in there?

I just watched it again and he does say they did it like that because it’s so “emotionally difficult” so I don’t see how that could be a wedding. I can’t imagine anything that would be too dramatic for the Bachelor except for maybe a pregnancy or something. Could someone possibly come back a few weeks later and say they’re pregnant? What is going on????

VDay Dinner; Beth Moore Esther Study; TV for Mac; Amy is Random Today

February 15, 2009 by Amy 7 Comments

I’ve got three blogworthy things for today and blogging three posts sounds like a formidable task right now so I’m going to go for one long post. This is what I get for not blogging for three days.

Hang on tight.

Free Dinner

First, let’s talk about Valentine’s Day. Happy belated vday. Scott and I went out Friday night since I had to work Saturday as well as go to the Vday youth fundraiser dinner. We went to Longhorn Steakhouse. It was very busy and we had to sit right across from the bar. The bar was full and two guys were standing behind the chairs and almost directly beside our table. They apologized a few times and the one younger guy even struck up a conversation with me about our iPhones. Then he apologized to Scott for talking to his girlfriend.

Two seats finally came available at the bar but Scott, always with his DUI radar on, kept his eye on him. The one larger guy was getting belligerent with the bartender and Scott was getting ready to tell someone it was obvious he shouldn’t be driving as drunk as he was. Just then, the manager came over to smooth over the issue with the bartender and mentioned about him driving, telling him he was slurring his words pretty bad(ly). Scott stopped the manager and told him he was a highway patrolman and he didn’t need to drive. The manager said he had offered him a taxi and might have mentioned calling the police.

Next thing I knew the guys were walking out with the manager and Scott followed him. He’s nosy like that. Scott and the manager came back in and Scott said the guy supposedly lived close by and wanted to walk but Scott said he was either leaving in a taxi or a police car. The guy backed down and let them call a taxi.

Our meal came soon after and when we finished, were very happy when the waitress said our meal was taken care of. A win for everyone involved…even those who could have been involved and weren’t. Thank an officer today. And those poor wives who get left alone at the table on Valentine’s Day. Oh, I joke.

Beth Moore Esther study

If you’ve read here for a while you might know I’m a big fan of Beth Moore Bible studies. I was very excited to know our church started one on Sunday nights. The first session was tonight and for those interested, here’s a little rundown of the first session…

She gave an overview of the Book itself and focused specifically on the fact that the name of God is not mentioned once in the book. She said it was almost as if God was telling the story through the writer. She said God does work through miracles but is also there even when it doesn’t seem like He is. The book of Esther will be a message of hope and gives perspective on God’s providence; that God is at work in the big things and in the trivial. He works in us so we will act according to His purpose.

The thing that hit me hard tonight is that we could NOT do His will. Both phrases “seek to know the will of God” and “fulfill the word of God” both give the conclusion that it’s possible to not know His will and also to not fulfull it. While I’ve thought about that many times, something about tonight made it strike a chord. What am I missing?? And it doesn’t just scare me, it makes me sad to know that God went through the trouble of creating me uniquely with a special purpose and I could quite possible completely flake on Him. Gives new meaning to the phrase Epic Fail!

She also talked about the simple fact that Esther is about a woman. The tagline of the series is “It’s tough being a woman”. She interviewed 400 women and asked 3 of the toughest things about being a woman. My favorite funny one was “wearing panties and then bearing the pressure of pretending I’m not.” LOL

So that was a very random recap but trust me when I say it is good and if you’ve ever gone through Beth Moore and liked it, you will for sure like this one.

TV for Mac

Wow this is a random post.

But I’m super-duper excited about my new tech toy. Today I bought Pinnacle’s TV for Mac HD Mini Stick. The goal of it is watch and record TV on my Mac. (They also have a PC product) You have two options.

Option #1 is to plug the antenna they give you into the mini Stick which basically looks like a thumb drive. It sends a Digital Air signal. You basically have an antenna you sit near a window and the cord runs to your laptop. And yes, it looks super-duper geeky.

Option #2 is to use the plug they give you, plug it into your cable connection in your wall and then run that into the mini Stick. If you only have one cable connection and you’re keeping your TV, you’ll have to buy a splitter so it can go to your TV and to your laptop. This does not work with encrypted cable or satellite signals…aka DirecTV.

So…I had to go with Option #1.

Once you have the right connections, just run the installation CD and voila, a screen comes up and it’s playing TV! Mine came up with about 30 channels which is basically just your main channels + duplicates for HD/weather channels. So I have ABC, CBS, Fox in High Def and then CW, PBS, TBN, MNT, IND. Which really, that’s all I watch anymore.

THEN you create an account with TitanTV.com and you schedule it to record just like a DVR. If you upgrade to EyeTV instead of EyeTV lite that it comes with you can easily export the recorded files to a mpg for example. If you really want to stick with EyeTV lite and you know what you’re doing, you can unpackage the EyeTV file and rip out the mpg file yourself. Not for the technically challenged though.

The cool thing is this is only $77 with no recurring fees. The quality of the picture is excellent, especially the HD channels. Wow. The only issue I see is geeky hardware and possibly lack of hard drive space in the near future. Just depends how you use it though.